Apple iPod Dock M9130G/A

[Archived in Apple Computer, Audio, Computer Accessories, Products, iPod, iPod Accessories]

Manufacturer: Apple Computer
Price at amazon.com: Used & new from $17.99

Product Description:

Just plug, unplug, and go. The iPod Dock makes charging and synching easier than ever.

Average Customer Rating:

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Comment: Not worth it Rating:
If you are buying a 10 gb iPod, I wouldn't suggest spending $40 on this small piece of plastic. While this is a nice and handy product made by apple, the price is to big to make it worth it. If you're buying a 15, 20, or 40 gb, you get a dock already included, along with a remote, a carrying case, and more hardrive space. But buying a dock separately is a waste of money. It does include an audio out jack, but the headphone out is just as good

I made my own dock for myself out of wood and painted it. It looks nice or nicer than the Apple dock and is just slightly less functional. All the dock does is make the iPod stand up instead of lying there.

If you want a dock, I'd suggest making your own or buying a 15, 20 or 40 gb iPod with the dock included as well as many other goodies that make it worth spending $100 extra.

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Comment: too expensive, but... Rating:
For 40 bucks you get the dock, which is nice. For 75 you get the dock, a Monster Cable audio connection cable with RCA connectors; the Apple USB-iPod cable and the Apple power adapter. Apple calls this its stereo connection kit. In May 2004 it's $5 cheaper on Amazon than at apple.com. Seventy-five bucks is too much for this, too, but bought separately, I know these items would cost quite a bit more than $75.

You do need the dock to use the line-level output to your stereo. While it's true the variable output headphone connection works fine, the line-level output provides higher fidelity and eliminates the risk of overloading the inputs on your pre-amp or receiver.

If you don't have an iPod yet and you love music, especially if you travel on airplanes, you need one. Just know that podding, like most other things, is a bit of a money pit.

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Comment: Probably not worth it, but handy Rating:
The iPod dock may not be worth the price - but it *is* handy if you are into convenience. My iPod came with a bundled dock and I keep in on my desk for charging/syncing.

The dock is well designed - seems solidly built and is nice and small. It's also nice how it doesn't have any cables hanging out of it like most docks seem to - you just plug in the regular iPod cable to the back and that's it.

I've seen people who have two iPods leave one dock in the living room by the stereo equipment. The audio out jack on the back of the dock allows you to hook it up to your stereo and you can use the dock cable to plug in to the AC charger. This lets you quickly snap the iPod into its dock to charge and listen to music - however, if you only have one iPod, you'll want to buy an additional cable along with the extra dock so you don't always have to unplug it to sync with your computer.

If you're not feeling cheap, I guess it's handy.

Posted at November 11, 2003 07:30 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)